Lagging affordability cheques soon to be sent out in Saskatchewan

While most Saskatchewan residents who are eligible for a $500 affordability cheque have already got the money — or “Moe bucks” — there’s a lingering group of cheques set to be sent out next week.

They’re to go to people who had an incorrect address or had moved since they filed their 2021 tax returns and so their cheques were sent to the wrong place before being returned. Anyone who has fixed their address is expected to get their cheque in this round.

The Ministry of Finance said anyone who has moved and hasn’t received their cheque should send their new address in to the provincial government.

Cheques will also be sent to people who filed their taxes just ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline, but just those who filed and were assessed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) before Oct. 23. The province said the data for anyone who filed in the last week of October hasn’t been handed over by the CRA yet.

The ministry couldn’t provide a timeline as to when it expects the last of the tax returns to be processed and the information given to the province.

There is a toll-free phone number available for people who are having problems with their cheques or haven’t received their cheques, but some have complained of the line being too busy.

The Ministry of Finance said the line has got nearly 50,000 calls and has been “exceptionally busy the past few days.” To help, the ministry has shifted resources and hired temporary staff.

As of early next week, people will be able to leave a voicemail on the line if agents are busy.